Chrysanthemum plant named `Charemi`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Chrysanthemum cultivar named `Charemi` is provided. The new cultivar was the result of a controlled breeding program. Attractive very large double incurved light pink blossoms of the pompon type are formed generally in the shape of a round ball. The blossoms keep their form for weeks without showing an open center. The response period of the flowers is approximately eight weeks. Recurrent profuse flower production throughout the year is possible. The plant possesses strong stems, forms large deep green leaves, and commonly assumes a height of only approximately 30 to 35 cm. The new cultivar is particularly suited for use in the production of a decorative pot Chrysanthemum and can be grown single-stem, disbudded, or center-budded. No growth regulator is required to achieve the short plant height.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum, botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflorum, andhereinafter is referred to by the cultivar name `Charemi`.

The new cultivar is the product of a planned breeding program which hadas its objective the creation of a new Chrysanthemum cultivar that isintended primarily for pot mum production.

The breeding program which resulted in the production of the newcultivar of the present invention was carried out in a controlledenvironment during October 1987 at Nuaille, Trementines, France. Thefemale parent (i.e., the seed parent) was an unnamed plant designated84-124-2 (non-patented in the United State) having a large pink pomponflower that was bred during 1978 which lacked an ability to flowerregularly, and the male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) was unnamedplant designated 78-48-4 (non-patented in the United States) having alarge double soft pink pompon flower that was bred during 1984 and had atendency to fade quickly under high intensity light conditions. Theparentage of the new cultivar can be summarized as follows:

    84-124-2×78-48-4.

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and many smallplantlets were obtained which were physically and biologically differentfrom each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of asingle plant of the new variety.

It was found that the new cultivar of the present invention:

(a) exhibits attractive double incurved light pink pompon blossomsgenerally in the form of a large ball,

(b) exhibits a flower response period of approximately eight weeks,

(c) forms attractive dark green foliage,

(d) achieves a short plant height, and

(e) is particularly suited for pot mum production on a recurrent basisthroughout the year.

The new cultivar is intended primarily as a decorative pot Chrysanthemumfor growing indoors. However, it also can be grown for cut flowerproduction in those instances where stems of approximately 30 cm. areacceptable. Also, the new cultivar can be grown outdoors at temperaturesabove freezing.

In the absence of debudding commonly 6 to 7 blossoms form per stem. Thenew cultivar can be grown single-stem, with disbudding, or centerbudded. An increased number of branches readily can be induced bypinching. The pinching of a cutting commonly produces 3 to 4 stems. Nogrowth regulator is required to produce the short plant height.

The new cultivar can be considered to be an October-flowering greenhousevariety with the natural flowering season commonly occurring in weeks 41and 42 of the year. Attractive blossoms can be produced on a recurrentbasis throughout the year with the indicated eight week response period.The blossoms are long lasting and commonly can be maintained on theplant for two to three weeks, and for three to four weeks when cut andplaced in a vase.

Asexual reproduction of the new culivar by cuttings initially takenduring 1988, as performed in Nuaille, Trementines, France, in acontrolled environment has demonstrated that the characteristics of thenew cultivar as herein described are firmly fixed and are retainedthrough successive generations of asexual propagation.

`Charemi` has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotype mayvary somewhat with variations in the environment, such as temperature,light, day length, contact with pesticides and/or subjection to growthretardant treatments.

When the new culivar of the present invention is compared to the`Peacock` cultivar (non-patented in the United States), the `Charemi`cultivar is found to exhibit a faster response period of approximately 8weeks vs. 10 weeks, a lighter blossom coloration, and a shorter plantheight.

The new cultivar is being marketed under the CHIME trademark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs were prepared during June, 1994, and showas nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in colorillustrations of this character, typical plants and plant parts of thenew cultivar of the present invention. The plants were 11 weeks of ageand were grown at Nuaille, Trementines, France, under standardgreenhouse conditions which approximate those commonly utilized for theproduction of decorative pot mums. The plant had been disbudded in orderto encourage the formation of one large bloom per stem. Any labels shownin the photographs are 2.5 cm. in width and can be used for sizecomparisons.

FIG. 1 illustrates typical specimens of the overall plant wherein fivecuttings were placed in a 20 cm. pot. The large pale pink incurvedflowers generally in the form of large round balls, as well as thefoliage, are apparent.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a typical open flower.

FIG. 3 illustrates from left to right under, side, and top views ofunopened buds.

FIG. 4 illustrates under, side, and top views of the flowers in thecourse of opening.

FIG. 5 illustrates under, side, and top views of fully open flowers.

FIG. 6 illustrates at the top row the upper surfaces of typical leavesof various sizes and at the bottom row the under surfaces of typicalleaves of various sizes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of color described hereafter is theR.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England.In some instances more common color terms are provided and are to beaccorded their usual dictionary significance. The plants described were11 weeks of age and were grown at Nuaille, Trementines, France, understandard greenhouse conditions where approximate those commonly utilizedfor the production of decorative pot mums.

Classification:

Botanical.--Dendranthema grandiflorum, cv. `Charemi`.

Commercial.--Decorative pot mum.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Large, double, incurved. The outside rows of petals may change toa semi-incurved configuration upon maturity.

Type.--Pompon.

Diameter across face.--Approximately 12 to 13 cm. on average when fullyexpanded.

B. Corolla of ray and disc florets:

Color of bud.--Commonly lighter than Greyed-Purple Group 186D.

Disc florets.--Tubular, yellow in coloration, few in number, verydifficult to observe, and tend to be scattered among the ray floretswith a small cluster at the apex of the receptable that is visible onlywhen the ray florets are removed.

General tonality.--At the beginning of flowering the blossoms appear tobe bicolored with soft pink on the outer rows of ray floret and deeperpin on the inner rows of ray florets. The initial bicoloration can beattributed to differences in maturity between the inner rows of rayflorets and the outer rows of ray florets. As the blossoms mature, theinner rows of ray florets tend to fade to a soft pink, and finally allof the ray florets become a soft pink to nearly white. The rate of fadeis influenced by the temperature and light intensity that is experiencedwhich tends to induce a change in color pigmentation.

Color ray florets.--Lighter than Red-Purple Group 69B on the outer side,and Red-Purple Group 69B on the inner side.

Configuration ray florets.--Concave in cross section, textured, andpossess pointed tips.

C. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Generally present with disc florets and absent in rayflorets.

Gynoecium.--Generally present with most disc florets and with most rayflorets.

Pollen.--Formed in a slight quantity and golden-yellow in coloration.

Fragrance.--Typical of Chrysanthemum.

PLANT

A. General Appearance:

Height.--Short, and approximately 30 to 35 cm. in height on average.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--Dark green, Green Group 137A.

Color (lower surface).--Lighter green, approaches Green Group 138A.

Long day leaf count.--Approximately 32 to 35 leaves per typical stem ina long day crop before the bud occurs.

Configuration.--Lobed (as illustrated).

Texture.--Fleshy.

Internode length.--Very short.

Stem.--Thin, strong, angular in cross section, nearest to Yellow-GreenGroup 144A in coloration, and commonly with anthocyanin coloration atthe base.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named`Charemi`, substantially as herein shown and described, which(a)exhibits attractive double incurved light pink pompon blossoms generallyin the form of a large ball, (b) exhibits a flower response period ofapproximately eight weeks, (c) forms attractive dark green foliage, (d)achieves a short plant height, and (e) is particularly suited for potmum production on a recurrent basis throughout the year.